Mida De Sea Hua Hin

Mida De Sea has a chic, upscale vibe inside, but from the outside it looks like a large set of condominiums, which it was prior to being turned into a resort. The open-air lobby, with its gray stone floors and light-wood ceiling beams, has a sleek, minimalist feel. There are some modern, wood-framed sofas and cream-colored chairs with a few colorful cushions set throughout and many spaces open out onto exterior views, adding a bit of airiness to the space. The on-site Mediterranean restaurant, Delicioso, has a snazzy layout with blue and white designer chairs and a wall full of sketches of gourmet coffee, fine wines, and haute cuisine. M& Restaurant, which serves Thai and Western dishes, is a bit more sober, but contemporary nonetheless, and has outdoor seating. As the rooms are stylish, most guests appear to spend their time inside of them, and staying at this resort does feel akin to condo life as there's little guest interaction outside of breakfast -- though some guests may like this aspect of staying here. The resort caters mostly to families and couples. 

The Mida De Sea Hua Hin is located between Hua Hin and Cha Am, and in spite of its name, is actually closer to Cha Am, about 10 miles south of town. The resort lies in a quiet area off the main highway by about half a mile, and without transport, it is a pretty inconvenient location. There are no shops or restaurants within easy walking distance of the resort, although the hotel does have a tuk tuk shuttle that can take guests around. The resort is not on the beach, though it can be reached in five minutes on foot, but guests should manage their expectations as it's not one of Thailand's most pristine stretches of sand. It is about a 20-minute drive into Hua Hin to access the night markets, train station, bus station, and minivans for onward transport to Bangkok. The closest international airports are in Bangkok, which takes about two hours to reach by road.

The 115 rooms at the Mida De Sea Hua Hin are all spacious and stylish, get plenty of light, and offer either sea views or direct pool access. Rooms start at 45 square meters (or 484 square feet) and decor is stylish: white walls, black-and-white nature photography, and low-lying wood furnishings. Floors throughout vary from off-white tile to hardwood and gray tile, and all look smart against the stark, minimalist design. Each room has a small kitchenette that includes a two-burner range, minibar, electric kettle, sink, and lots of cabinet space, although there aren't any cooking pots or utensils. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, writing desks, small sofas, and air-conditioners, and there is free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are sparkling white and spacious, and have both large bathtubs as well as separate shower units with rainfall showerheads. The Deluxe Rooms are on upper floors, and offer fine sea views from their large balconies, which have small sofas and tables. Duplex Rooms have bedrooms upstairs, with living room space downstairs, and some open out directly to the swimming pool. For groups and families, there are two-bedroom Corner Suites and three-bedroom Royal Suites, with large terraces on the pool, plus loads of living space and extra bathrooms, not to mention chic design features like statement headboards over beds. 

The resort offers solid choices on the dining front, with its main restaurant M& serving buffet breakfasts (not included), as well as Thai and western fare throughout the day and evening, with a small bar out front. Mediterranean fare is served at Delicioso and receives solid reviews. The Mida De Sea Hua Hin also has a modern fitness center and sauna. There are two narrow swimming pools here, which are virtually identical, and each is used by two of the property's four buildings. The pools look cool, but aren't very practical, as they are mainly accessible by those with pool-access rooms. What's more, the rock steps placed at intervals throughout make lap swimming impossible, and the pools are hemmed in by the buildings, meaning they get sun for only half the day. There are a few lounge chairs and circular love seats to recline on, but they again require some inconvenient walking around the resort to reach, and the pools end up looking more decorative than anything else. There is a large ballroom on site that can be separated into four smaller rooms for functions, weddings, and seminars of up to 500 people, and there is ample parking at the resort. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the beach and throughout the local area, and reception can also arrange airport transfers. Wi-Fi is free throughout